Sikkim 3rd best state in Panchayati Raj progress

GANGTOK, April 19 – Sikkim has again been adjudged as the third best performing State in the country for progress in Panchayati Raj for the year 2010-11. Among the North East States, Sikkim has emerged as the top Panchayati Raj State.

The State will receive a cash incentive award of Rs 1 crore for this achievement. In addition to this, the Mellidara Paiyong Gram Panchayat, South Sikkim has been awarded the “Rashtriya Gaurav Gram Sabha Puraskar – 2011” for convening and conducting regular and vibrant meetings of the Gram Sabhas. This award has a cash component of Rs 10 lakhs.

The Minister and Secretary, Rural Management and Development department Sikkim will receive the awards from the Prime Minister during a conference in Vigyan Bhavan in New Delhi on April 24, celebrated as National Panchayat Day.

South Sikkim Gram Sabha approves schemes and demands

Namchi,October3 : Marking the ‘Gram Sabha Year 2009- 2010’, 50th year of Panchayati Raj in India, a Gram Sabha was held on Friday, October 2, here at Maniram Bhanzyang Panchayat Bhawan for the public of 27- Maniram- Singithang Gram Panchayat Unit (GPU) in South Sikkim. The Sabha was presided by the Panchayat President of the GPU Topda Bhutia and attended by the officials from different departments and a good number of villagers. The meeting discussed the various schemes and the demands which the Sabha passed with a majority approval.
Addressing the meeting the Panchayat President Mr. Bhutia informed that the Panchayat of the GPU has decided to provide an Identity Card with the limited validity period to the mini businesspersons who visit the village for business purpose from outside the state. This arrangement, according to him, was done for the safety of the area people.
He said that it has been found in past that the traders from outside the state who often visited the remote areas for business have misbehaved with the innocent people of such remote places, especially with the ladies. “Following such complaints we have decided to provide identity cards to each and every trader, laborer and carpenter from outside the state entering the GPU”, he said.
Mr. Bhutia urged the people of the GPU to ask such persons for the I-card from the Panchayat, for which such traders and laborers will have to register them with the office of Panchayat at Panchayat Bhawan, he added. He further said that now the panchayat will take care of the local people. The I-card holders will also be provided with security from some anti social elements during their stay in the GPU, he said.
He mentioned that to look after the different developmental sections, the panchayat has formed a Standing Committee which will look after the various maters like water Supply, electricity, complaints and grievances, education, health and environment conservation. The meeting was also addressed by Beena Gajmer Vice President, Ramesh Rai, Panchayat Secretary and members Dinesh Pradhan, Hem Kumari Manger, Doma Tamang, Sita Kumari Rai and Ganga Psd. Gajmer who placed the demands of the people of their respective wards. Earlier the meeting was also addressed by the DDO, South LP Chettri and CDPO Namchi who apprised the people of schemes of their respective departments.

Sikkim MInisters & MLA in Hyderabad for Training

Hyderabad, Aug 28 The Sikkim Government has decided to organise regular training-cum-orientation for the elected representatives on the latest trends in rural development.

This comes after a training-cum-orientation course on 'Rural Development Programmes and Decentralisation' was held on August 27 and 28 at the National Institute of Rural Development (NIRD) here, an official release said today.

A 16-member delegation comprising C B Karki, Minister for Rural Management and Development, D B Thapa, Minister for Urban Development and Housing Development and Neerla Sewa, Minister for Commerce and Industries and Panchyat Raj and 12 MLAs of the newly-constituted Sikkim Assembly attended the programme.

Anil Ganeriwala, Secretary, Rural Management and Development, Government of Sikkim, accompanied the delegation, the release said.

NIRD Director General B K Sinha, his Deputy K N Kumar and D S Gangwar, Joint Secretary, Union Ministry of Rural Development interacted with the participants.

The programme covered several important programmes of the Rural Development Ministry such as NREGS, and sessions were taken by the eminent academicians and developmental administrations on the latest trends in implementation of rural development programmes and decentralisation.

NAVEY SHOTAK ZILLA PANCHAYAT ELECTION ON NOV 24

FOUR CANDIDATES TO CONTEST
GANGTOK, November 05: Four persons will be contesting for the Zilla Panchayat election from 27-Navey Shotak Territorial constituency.
An IPR press release informs that the election will take place on November 24 this month.
Nimchung Bhutia and Tashi Bhutia are contesting as Independent candidates while Chewang Bhutia and Samtso Bhutia are contesting from the Sikkim Democratic Front and Indian National Congress respectively

EC notifies Withdrawal of Code of Conduct after Panchayat Poll

Gangtok,Nov1: The notification for the withdrawal of Code of Conduct in force after peaceful conclusion of Panchayat election held all over Sikkim has been issued today on October31,2007 by Sikkim Election Commission.
Sikkim EC was monitoring the compliance by political parties of the model code of conduct for the election which came into force in state after announcement of Panchayat elections.

CELEBRATION TIME FOR SDF & INDEPENDENT PANCHAYAT POLL WINNERS

Independent candidates prove a point by consolidating position
GANGTOK, October 29: Even as the first results began coming in, supporters from East Sikkim poured into the streets of Gangtok to celebrate the victory of their Panchayat candidates.
As the final votes were being tabulated and official announcements being made, the singing and sloganeering continued throughout the day here at the Paljor Stadium.
When the first results were declared at around 1 pm, the winning candidates were garlanded with khadas by jubilant supporters. To keep the revelry going, the winners were made to make a round of the Stadium by the supporters. Celebrations continued till they reach their respective wards with slogans in praise of the party and the candidate all along the way.
“I have won the election on a SDF party ticket with the symbol of an umbrella, which reflect the tremendous love and support of the people and I promise to live up to their expectations,” said PS Rai who won from West Pendam.
The womenfolk did not lag behind in the celebrations, with the 40 per cent reservation accorded to them. The fairer sex was presented well at the Paljor Stadium. “We are grateful towards the State Government for providing 40 per cent seat reservation for women,” said an overwhelmed Zangpo Sherpa who won from 14 Padamchen, 20 Pathing on a SDF ticket.
Rejoicing the triumph in a similar spirit were the Independent candidates, who formed an unexpected chunk in the winning list. Interestingly, most of the Independent candidates were pitted against SDF candidates and their victory could be signaling in the anti-incumbency factor. “Our victory shows that the public looked at the Panchayat poll beyond politics. It is all about rural development,” said a winner from South Sikkim.
Answering a query on the SDF party’s decision not to take in the winning Independent candidates, Durga Devi Acharaya, Independent winner from Taza Ward, Rhenock had this to say: “It will all depend upon the decision of the people of my Ward who have given me the mandate and nothing else. I shall do whatever my people will decide. But now, this is the time to celebrate.”
When asked the winners whether they would seclude people who did not vote for them from all the perks and benefits under the Government’s welfare scheme, most of the winners stated that they will strive to work for every one without partiality or prejudice.
“It is the decision of the people to elect their own representatives and the winners should now work for the people,” the losing candidates said.

HOME RUN ALL THE WAY FOR SIKKIM DEMOCRATIC FRONT

GANGTOK, October 29: Eighty four Independent candidates from Gram Panchayat Units and seven Independent candidates from Zilla Panchayats today emerged victorious in the Panchayat polls.
The counting of the ballots started today in the four Districts of the State at 8 am under strict vigil and tight security.
In the East District, hundreds of supporters from their respective political parties gathered at the Paljor Stadium and waited until the final result were declared. Though the supporters of the candidates belonging to the ruling Sikkim Democratic Front outnumbered the crowd supporting the Independent and opposition candidates, shouts of Zindabads carrying party flags from all the groups rent the air. Infact sign of remorse was also distinct on the faces of the losing candidates.
According to officials, due to the use of Electronic Voting Machines, the counting of votes was efficient and prompt. The EVMs were used for the first time in the Panchayat polls in the State.
The final result was completed by 1 pm in the afternoon.
Interestingly, the margin of the winning as well as the losing candidates is much less, the least being a difference of mere four votes in some Panchayat wards.
The SDF party won the majority of the seats although a good number of Independent candidates particularly from South and East District won their respective Panchayat wards.
As per the report from the State election Commission, the SDF party won 14 seats in the East District in Zilla Panchayat while the remaining three were won by the Independent candidates. Similarly, in GPUs, 95 seats went in favour of the SDF party and 22 were won by the Independent candidates.
In the North District for Zilla Panchayat, SDF won 8 seats with one seat in favour of the Independent candidate. Likewise for Gram Panchayat SDF won 23 seats while 15 seats were won by Independent.
For the Zilla Panchayat in the South District, SDF won 10 seats while three seats went for Independent. In the GPUs, SDF won 75 seats with 31 for Independent.
From the West District, SDF won all the eight seats in Zilla Panchayat and 26 in GPU, Independent won 11 seats in GPU.
Moreover, there was one candidate from the opposition stable who emerged victorious. Bishnulal Rai of Lower Lunglok, Yangten under Tashiding Constituency won a seat in GPU from Indian National Congress.
Talking with SIKKIM EXPRESS, Secretary State Election Commissioner CP Dewan said that the counting was conducted peacefully and no report of any violence was reported. He also informed that the election for Nabey Shotak under Kabi Tingda constituency would be held on November 24, for which one nomination has already been filed.
The election for Zilla Adkhshya and Upadakshya of Zilla Panchayat will be held on November 5 and the election for Sabhapati, Upasabhapati and Sachiv will be held on November 6.

SDF wins rural polls

GANGTOK, October 29: The Sikkim Democratic Front (SDF) has won the rural polls in the Himalayan state. The party has gained 219 gram panchayat seats and 40 zilla panchayat seats, which is the highest in the rural polls of Sikkim. Expressing satisfaction with the “landslide victory” with a 96 per cent support, senior part leader Mr BB Gooroong said: “The Opposition has been swept aside. Our victory was assured since we are a strong cadre based party,” indicating that the moment now was to plan the victory ceremony. The ruling SDF had already won 585 seats out of 889 seats in gram panchayat seats and 46 seats out of 93 zilla parishad seats uncontested even before a single vote was cast. The counting of votes went off peacefully today. “The counting was held at the zilla panchayat bhawan in Geyzing, West district in peaceful conditions,” said the DC West Mr Nitesh Kumar Jha. “That shows all parties are satisfied with the results and the way the polls were held,” he added.

Independents Panchayats on SDF trail

Gangtok, Oct. 29: The ruling Sikkim Democratic Front (SDF) has swept the panchayat polls in the state with a 90 per cent majority.
The party had already won roughly 66 per cent of the seats in the two tiers uncontested.
However, Independent candidates have dented some SDF bastions, claiming 84 gram panchayat seats (out of the 305 where voting was held) and seven zilla panchayat ones (out of 47).
Though it pales in comparison to SDF’s haul of 220 and 40 seats respectively (leaving aside the uncontested ones), the Independents have done well in some significant areas.
For example in South district, considered to be SDF’s home turf, three of the 13 zilla panchayat seats have gone to Independents, including Lingmo-Mangzing, which is adjacent to Sikkim chief minister Pawan Chamling’s ancestral village, and Wak-Omchu, which is close to Chamling’s own constituency.
An Independent candidate has won the Kabi-Tingda zilla panchayat seat in North Sikkim. The constituency sits between Gangtok and the rest of the North district.
Independents have also captured three gram panchayat seats in Dzongu in North Sikkim.
Observers believe the SDF’s poor showing there may have resulted from the controversy over the hydel power projects.
The Congress managed to win only one gram panchayat seat in the polls.
Eighty per cent polling was recorded in the state with the highest (85 per cent) in North Sikkim.

SIKKIM DEMOCRATIC FRONT SWEEPS PANCHAYAT ELECTION

Gangtok,October29: This tiny himalayan state of Sikkim saw ruling SDF party having a sweeping victory for the rural body elections held on October 26 and results declared today.The ruling Sikkim Democratic Front already leads the polls having won 640 of the gram panchayat seats and 45 zilla parishad seats uncontested

SIKKIM RECORDS MORE THAN 80 PERCENT VOTER TURNOUT IN RURAL POLL

GANGTOK, October 26: The Gram and Zilla Panchayat elections were conducted smoothly and peacefully all over the State today.
The polling process started from 8 am after the polling stations were opened. Electronic Voting Machines were used for the first time ever in the civil polls in Sikkim. An estimated 1.41 lakh electorate cast their franchise today to decide the fate of 835 candidates in the fray for 47 Zilla Panchayat and 304 gram Panchayat seats amid tight security arrangements.
No poll rigging or disturbances were reported from any polling booths across the State.
The poll fever was missing from the Capital and its surrounding areas as it has been declared as Municipal Area for which the voting will be held next year in January.
The State Election Commission had set up 524 polling stations across the four Districts and deployed 3144 polling personnel and 1048 policemen to conduct free and fair polls for 47 Zilla Panchayat seats out of a total of 93 seats of which 45 candidates have been elected unopposed pending a formal announcement after the conclusion of polls. With regard to the gram Panchayat polls, a total of 711 candidates are contesting 304 seats out of 889 of which 585 candidates have been elected unopposed pending an official announcement.
Today’s polls saw a huge turnout of women voters, perhaps bolstered by the 40 per cent reservation accorded to them in the Panchayat by the State Government.
“We enjoy 40 per cent reservation as compared to women of other States in the country, so what can be more exhilarating and encouraging than this,” Devika Chettri, a female voter from Aho Yangtham Ward under Losing Pacheykhani constituency, said while talking with SIKKIM EXPRESS.
CP Dewan, State Election Commissioner informed that EVM malfunctions were reported from Lower Tintek (East Sikkim), Perbing, Melli Gonpa, Kaetang (South Sikkim) and Kaluk in West Sikkim. “Although no such technical snags were reported from North District, the default EVM Machines were replaced immediately in other three Districts,” Mr. Dewan informed.
Lower Lingzya in North Sikkim was recorded as the ward with least voters. The ward had only 48 voters while Melli Ward of South Sikkim recorded maximum voters with 1,179 voters.
As per the information received from the State Election Commission, there were a total of 841 contesting candidates both for Gram as well as for Zilla Panchayats. For the Gram Panchayat the election were held in 304 wards for 717 contesting candidates. Meanwhile for 47 Zilla Panchayat seats there were 124 candidates contesting.
The latest data reveals 575 Gram Panchayat and 46 Zilla Panchayats as uncontested winners including one independent Panchayat candidate and the rest are all SDF party candidates.
Interestingly, this year’s rural poll also saw the participation of Opposition parties such as the Sikkim Pradesh Congress and Sikkim Gorkha Prajatantrik Party. The Sikkim Himali Rajya Parishad (SHRP) and Sikkim State Bharatiya Janata Party boycotted the elections. On the other hand, although the SDF party has already secured 66% win uncontested the. Most the independent candidates who withdrew their nominations unofficially were also seen busy campaigning and supporting the ruling party candidates.
The voting ended at 4 pm in the evening after which the EVM machines were sealed in front of the contesting candidates and were sent to the Strong Rooms under the thorough vigil and supervision of the Police.
The counting of the votes will be held on October 29 from 8 am at Indoor Gymnasium Hall for the East District. For other three Districts the counting will be held at Indoor Gymnasium Hall (Namchi), Zilla Bhawan, Gyalshing and Zilla Bhawan, Mangan. The election for Nabey Shotak ward under Kabi Tingda constituency will be held on November 24. No nominations were made from the said ward earlier.
Likewise, the selection of Adyakshas and Up-Adyakshas from Zilla Panchayats will be held on November 5. Meanwhile the selection of Sabhapati, Upa-sabhapati and Sachiv will be on November 6 for Gram Panchayat Units.
However, till the filing of this report the total voting turn in the State as per official statement was 90 per cent.
In the South District, the public voted for 106 wards for the Gram Panchayat representatives in which a total of 265 candidates were in the fray. The fates of 38 candidates in 13 Zilla Panchayat Territorial Constituencies in 183 polling booths were also sealed today in the South District.
In both the Gram and Zilla Panchayats, the Independent candidates in fray were more in comparison to the ruling Sikkim Democratic Front party and other Opposition parties in other three Districts.
The Electronic Voting Machines will be reaching to Namchi District headquarters under the tight security by tonight today. Although the official statement is yet to come, observers hint that more than 80 per cent votes were polled today in the South District.
In the West District, out of the nine constituencies, all the candidates from two constituencies of Chakung and Hee-Bermiok were declared uncontested. In the remaining seven constituencies, people voted for eight Zilla Panchayats and 35 Gram Panchayat Units.
There were seven GPUs in Yoksam, six from Tashiding, six from Gyalshing, three from Daramdin, five from Soreng and nine from Rinchepong. In the Zilla Panchayats, there were one each from Dentam and Rinchenpong and two each from Tashiding, Daramdin and Soreng.

Panchayat polls pass peacefully in Sikkim

Gangtok, Oct. 26: Excellent weather conditions and bright sunshine coaxed voters out of their homes for the panchayat elections across Sikkim today.
The polls remained peaceful with no untoward incidents reported from anywhere in the state till voting closed at 4pm today.
Elections were held for 304 village panchayat and 47 zilla panchayat seats. Of the 889 village panchayat seats, 585 had already been bagged by the ruling Sikkim Democratic Front (SDF) without a contest. The ruling party also won 46 of the 93 zilla panchayat seats in a similar manner.
In all, 841 candidates were in the fray, 717 for the village panchayats and 124 for the district bodies.
Rough estimates by the state election commission after voting closed at 4pm, put the turnout around 80 per cent. While North district saw the highest turnout with 85 per cent of the people casting their votes, the East and South districts saw 75 per cent voting and the West recorded the lowest, between 65 and 70 per cent polling. The above data was provided by the commission at 3pm.
After voting closed at 4pm, the electronic voting machines were brought to the counting centres at the four district headquarters Gangtok (East), Gyalshing (West), Mangan (North) and Namchi (South) under tight security. The counting will take place on October 29.
Around 1.5 lakh voters were expected to exercise their franchise in 571 booths across the state today.

Sikkim panchayat polls peaceful

GANGTOK, Oct. 26: The rural polls went off peacefully in Sikkim today.According to the State Election Commission, 85 per cent votes were cast in North district, 65 per cent in West, 75 percent in East and 75 per cent of votes were cast in South district."There was some problem with the electronic voting machines at Kaluk in West district which was replaced immediately," said Mr CB Dhakal joint chief electoral officer. "Another minor technical error occurred at Samdong in East district which too was sorted out immediately," he added. The ruling Sikkim Democratic Front already leads the polls having won 640 of the gram panchayat seats and 45 zilla parishad seats uncontested. The district collector of North, Mr TN Kazi reported that the polls were held in peace.Senior SDF leader Mr BB Gooroong, said: "It is a clear indication that the SDF would sweep the polls. We are expecting a landslide victory which would make us stronger.”

Panchayat Elections Today in Sikkim

Gangtok, Oct. 25: Elections for rural bodies across Sikkim will be held tomorrow. Campaigning for candidates came to an end yesterday evening.
The ruling Sikkim Democratic Front (SDF) has already won 585 of the 889 village panchayat seats (66 per cent) for lack of Opposition candidates. The ruling party has also won 46 of the 93 zilla panchayat seats uncontested.
All eyes are now on how the other political parties and independent candidates fare in the remaining 304 village panchayat seats and 47 zilla panchayat seats.
Independent candidates pose the most substantial challenge to the SDF in the remaining seats as opposition political parties like the Congress, CPM and the Sikkim Gorkha Democratic Party have only been able to register only token participation in the rural body elections.
According to the state election commission, 3,144 polling officials and 1,048 police personal have been posted in the 524 polling stations spread across the state. There are 717 candidates in the fray for the 304 village panchayat seats and 124 candidates for the 47 zilla panchayat seats. Casting of votes will begin from 8am tomorrow and will end by 4pm, election officials said. The counting will take place on October 29.
This is the first time panchayat elections are being held in the hill state using electronic voting machines.

Sikkim EC draws flak from BJP

GANGTOK, Oct. 25: Sikkim BJP leaders have termed the State Election Commission "anti-women" for scheduling panchayat elections on 26 October, the last day of Tika, one of the important festivals for the Nepali community."It will be difficult for the people to cast votes tomorrow which is a festival day. Since no leave is allowed during the election period, many government employees, especially women, would not be able to attend Tika celebrations," said Mr HR Pradhan, president of the state BJP unit. Mr Pradhan added that many people chose not to fight the elections owing to financial problem. "Since the election was being conducted on festival day, it was difficult for the financially poor aspiring contestants to participate in the polls. This is the reason why a large number of seats went uncontested, paving way for the SDF candidates to emerge victorious," Mr Pradhan, said. Although, many corrections were made in the delimitation and voter lists following BJP's complaints, the Opposition parties were not given the draft reservation proposal. As a result, the BJP decided to boycott the rural polls, Mr Pradhan, said.

Sikkim gears up for smooth Panchayat Poll

Gangtok: After the scrutiny of nomination and withdrawal of candidature, the State Election Commission has issued a final list of candidates and as per it, 67% panchayat are uncontested.In the West District, out of the total 283 GPU wards, 245 were uncontested and and the election for 38 GPU wards will be held. In the South District, out of 257 GPU wards, 151 declared uncontested and leaving 106 on the fray. Whereas in the East District, the total number of GPU wards are 243 out of which 121 were uncontested and election will be held for 122 GPU wards. And in the North District, out of 106 GPU wards, 68 are uncontested and 38 GPU will contest for elections.Similarly, in the Zilla Panchayat, out of the 25 ZPs in West district, 17 were uncontested and elections will be held for 8 ZPs. In the South District, out of 23 Zilla Panchayat, 10 were uncontested and elections will be held for 13 ZPs. While in the East District, out of 27 ZPs, 9 remained uncontested and 17 ZPs will contest the election and 1 Zilla Panchayat, remains vacant. And in the north district out of the total 18 ZPs, 9 remains uncontested while elections will be held for 9 ZPs.Accordingly, a meeting to review the arrangements for Panchayat Election, 2007 was held on October 8 in the Conference Hall of Rural Management & Development Department, Tashiling Secretariat Gangtok under the Chairmanship of Chief Secretary, Government of Sikkim. The meeting was attended by Director General of Police, Principal Secretary, Home Department,Commissioner-cum -Secretary, Rural Management & Development Department, Secretary, State Election Commission, all District Collectors (who are also the Returning Officer for the Panchayat Election), all District Superintendents of Police and other officials of Police, Home & State Election Commission.The meeting reviewed action taken by all concerned and confirmed all actions required to be taken as per Law/State Election Commission guidelines including arrangements for police and other man-power requirements for ensuring a free, fair and smooth poll. The meeting also reviewed the over-all law & order situation, likely trouble spots and other problem areas.The Chief Secretary expressed his satisfaction over the arrangements made and directed that all actions of the authorities connected with Panchayat Election should be transparent and as per law and guidelines issued by the State Election Commission, according to a press release received from the Home Department.

PANCHAYAT CANDIDATES WITHDRAW NOMINATIONS IN SUPPORT OF SDF

GANGTOK, October 14: Although the last date of withdrawing the nominations of Panchayat candidates was October 5, the unofficial withdrawal of the candidates of the ruling Sikkim Democratic Front (SDF) party is still in progress.
Krishna Kumar Pradhan of upper Tarpin, ward number 6 under Rhenock constituency has withdrawn his nomination from the panchayat election. A press release issued by the party states that Mrs Pradhan has extended his full support to his competitor PB Chettri in a decision taken by the parliamentary committee of the party.
Likewise, Menuka Pradhan of the same ward has also withdrawn her nomination and has supported her counterpart PB Chettri.
Similarly, Bhim Bahadhur Chettri and Sher Bahadhur Chettri of Ben Namprik of Wok panchayat wards have also withdrawn their nominations for ward panchayat.
The press release of the party states that the said candidates have taken up the decision following the principle of the SDF party

Prohibition before polls in East Sikkim

Gangtok, Oct. 10: Partial prohibition has been clamped on Sikkim as part of the preparations to ensure free and fair panchayat polls.
The East district collector, Vishal Chauhan, who is also the returning officer for the district today told reporters that prohibitory orders restricting certain activities like the use of firearms, knives and khukuris have already been imposed. A restriction on the number of vehicles for campaigning has also been enforced.
Chauhan said the state excise department has issued a notice declaring three days — October 25, 26 and 27 — as dry days. All liquor shops, bars and pubs will be closed on these days. The state goes to polls on October 26 while the counting will be held on October 29.
He said returning officers and assistant returning officers across the state had convened meetings with the candidates and the agents on election procedures and on the model code of conduct. The candidates were also apprised of the electoral offences.
The East district is the most populated in the state and has the maximum number of candidates contesting the polls. Of the 243 gram panchayat seats, there is a contest in 122, while the rest have been bagged by the ruling party. Of the 27 zilla panchayat seats, 17 seats are being contested.
In a separate order issued by the director-general of police, C.M. Ravindran, announced that all arms licences across the state will remain suspended till the election is over. The firearms will have to be deposited at the respective police stations, he added.
Chauhan said restrictions on printing of pamphlets have also been imposed under section 127(a) of the Representative of Peoples Act and if there is any election material to be printed, a copy has to be given to the district panchayat election officers for record.
A training session for polling officers and assistant polling officers will be held at Chintan Bhavan later this week, sources said.

Sikkim Opp cries foul again

GANGTOK, Oct. 10: The four Opposition parties of the state ~ Congress, BJP, CPI-M and Sikkim Himali Rajya Parishad ~ have requested the State Election Commission to foil the ruling Sikkim Democratic Front's alleged bid to rig the upcoming panchayat polls in the state. The Opposition parties, meanwhile, have appreciated the Election Commission's decision to replace the returning officer of Soreng sub-division in West Sikkim during filing of nomination papers. "We believe that by doing so the EC has proved its credibility. We expect the EC officials to take action on several representations submitted by the Opposition parties and individuals," a letter sent to the EC by the Opposition parties, read. The Opposition leaders have suggested the EC to strictly implement the election code of conduct. "We have noticed that still many ministers, MLAs, chairpersons and advisors are using government vehicles for electioneering," they said. The Opposition parties have urged the EC to prevent the SDF from defacing buildings, walls and trees in the name of electioneering. They have also criticised the SDF for publicising the recent 40 per cent seat allotment to women in the panchayat polls through banners. The Opposition leaders have urged the EC to remove such banners.

CONTROL ROOM TO COORDINATE PANCHAYAT ELECTIONS IN SIKKIM

Gangtok, October 10: The State Election Commission has announced 26th October, 2007 as the date of election to the Gram Panchayats and Zilla Panchayats in Sikkim vide Notification No. 4/SEC/07-08 dated 24/09/2007.According to information received from Home Department, it is informed that for coordination on matters related to Panchayat Elections, a Control Room has been opened in the chamber of Special Secretary, Home Department. Contact numbers of control room are 203450 (Tel), 227328 (Fax), 94340-29956 (Mobile, Special Secretary, Home and 94340-22255 (Mobile, Joint Secretary (C), Home).